DREAM BARS … ” rich, luscious topping on a shortbread-type base”

When I’m cooking or baking I think of my blog readers.  Is this something Patricia in Quebec would enjoy?   Is Ping in Thailand still making my apple tart? This recipe is good for Jill.  She cooks for one.  Dellis is always up for a challenge.     Andrew and Cait  love to cook for their friends and family.    My version of Foxley’s Rib Recipe would be perfect.

DREAM BARS is an old-fashioned recipe from a small Robin Hood cookbook.  I started baking from it more than 53 years ago.    Then it disappeared to the Land of  Forgotten Recipes.

I was in the Land of the Patisserie.   Gastron Lenôtre’s books became bed-side reading.    Pastries, flans, tarts,  Chou pastries, meringues, French custards, rich chocolate ganaches had me in their decadent clutches.

ROXY’S  BISTRO’s display case indulged with  crème brûlée,  Paris-Brest, St Honoré  cakes, chocolate mousse, apple charlottes,  petits fours glacés,  gâteaux laden with  custard and cream .

I’ve come full circle with my baking.  How rewarding to fill your home with the heady aroma of old-fashioned  baking… cookies, loaf cakes,  gingerbread, coffee cakes.  They are easy, they are quick to make and bake,  and they are so much better than anything that comes in a bag or box.

DREAM BARS

Base:

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 1/2  tbsp icing sugar

1/2 cup butter (or best quality hard margarine if your diet requires it)

In a large bowl mix together the flour and icing sugar.  Blend in the butter with your fingertips, or cut in until very fine mealy with a pastry blender.  Pat the mixture firmly into a greased 8 inch square pan.  Bake in a slow oven at 300°F for 20 minutes.

While your base is baking making the topping:

2 large eggs room temperature

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 scant cup of all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

a pinch of salt

1 tsp vanilla

1 generous cup of coarsely chopped walnuts

1 cup of cocoanut.

Beat the eggs well with a whisk  and add sugar.  Whisk again.

In a small bowl add flour, salt and baking powder and stir to blend.  Add this to your egg mixture and blend.  Now add the vanilla, nuts and cocoanut.

Spread this over the base and return to oven.  Bake in a slow oven (300°F) for 30 to 35 minutes.

The topping is very soft when removed from the oven but becomes firm as it cools.  DO NOT TRY TO CUT OR REMOVE  from pan until cold.  Cut into squares or bars.  Drift a little icing sugar over the top.

This delicate square becomes an easy,  dessert if you serve it with a scoop of ice cream or a generous spoonful of whipped cream.  It’s as impressive and delicious as any complicated French dessert.  Bon Appetit!

DREAM BARS ... " rich, luscious topping on a shortbread-type base"
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DREAM BARS is an old-fashioned recipe from a small Robin Hood cookbook. I started baking from it more than 53 years ago. Then it disappeared to the Land of Forgotten Recipes.
Ingredients
  • Base:
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2½ tbsp icing sugar
  • ½ cup butter (or best quality hard margarine if your diet requires it)
  • Topping:
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ¼ scant cup of all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • a pinch of salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 generous cup of coarsely chopped walnuts
  • 1 cup of cocoanut.
Instructions
  1. Base:
  2. In a large bowl mix together the flour and icing sugar. Blend in the butter with your fingertips, or cut in until very fine mealy with a pastry blender. Pat the mixture firmly into a greased 8 inch square pan. Bake in a slow oven at 300°F for 20 minutes.
  3. Topping:
  4. Beat the eggs well with a whisk and add sugar. Whisk again.
  5. In a small bowl add flour, salt and baking powder and stir to blend. Add this to your egg mixture and blend. Now add the vanilla, nuts and cocoanut.
  6. Spread this over the base and return to oven. Bake in a slow oven (300°F) for 30 to 35 minutes.
Notes
The topping is very soft when removed from the oven but becomes firm as it cools. DO NOT TRY TO CUT OR REMOVE from pan until cold. Cut into squares or bars. Drift a little icing sugar over the top.

 

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2 Responses to DREAM BARS … ” rich, luscious topping on a shortbread-type base”

  1. marion kirk says:

    I made this tonight for a meeting tomorrow. As I made it, it reminded me of my mother. She used to make this! When I put it in the oven I started to cry. It brought back memories of my mom and I missed her at this moment. I really am thankful that I went on your site to find this recipe. It will be something tomorrow when I present this to the people at the meeting I am going to.
    Thank you again for putting this on your site. (I was actually looking for the chocolate cake recipe!!!)
    Marion

    • admin says:

      Marion what wonderful, marvelous words. Indeed that is a very old recipe. I am so happy you discovered it, and I haven’t forgotten the chocolate cake.
      Cheers
      V.

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